Jacksonian Democracy and Trail of Tears

Jacksonian Democracy

Learning Goal: Explain how Jackson changed rule of law,
separation of powers, checks & balances, and federalism

Andrew Jackson

● Served as president from 1829-1837
● First president not born wealthy

-Expanded power of the president

● Supported rights of common man
● Responsible for Indian Removal Act and Trail of

Tears

Rule of Law

● Courts interpret laws
● Jackson ignored Supreme Court rulings he disagreed

with

● He did what he thought was right, not what courts

said

● Expanded presidential power

How Did Jacksonian Democracy Affect Government?

● Jackson thought gov't was corrupt and needed

reform

● He expanded democracy and power of the common

man

● But he also expanded the president's power

Separation of Powers

● Constitution divides power
● Jackson took more power for president
● Vetoed laws, asserted authority

Checks & Balances

● Branches can limit each other
● Jackson rejected congressional limits

a. refers to the ability of Congress to place checks

and restraints on presidential power.

● Expanded power of president

Federalism

● Power divided: states & federal
● Jackson distrusted federal power
● Destroyed national bank

2nd Bank of the U.S.

● National bank, seen as too powerful
● Jackson vetoed The Bank Charter Bill
● Thought it was corrupt and took too much power

from the states, thought it was unconstitutional

Multiple Choice

Why did Jackson oppose the second national bank of the United States?

• Thought it took away power from states and could lead to corruption

• Bank leaders opposed him in the election of 1824

• Thought the bank didn't have much power

Multiple Choice

7. What were some reasons Andrew Jackson vetoed the Bank Charter Bill?

• The bank did not have a charter from the federal government.

• He believed that the Bank helped aristocrats at the expense of the common people. Jackson believed that the Bank was unconstitutional.

• He encouraged people to exchange their paper money for gold or silver.

Destroying National Bank

● Jackson withdrew gov't funds
● Deposited into state banks
● Effectively destroyed bank

Multiple Choice

How did Jackson destroy the National bank?

• He issued an order that required people to pay for land in gold or silver.

• He encouraged people to exchange their paper money for gold or silver.

• He had government funds deposited in state banks.

Trail of Tears

● Indian Removal Act signed by President Jackson

forced relocation

● Thousands died on journey
● Worcester v. Georgia - ruled act unconstitutional

What was the Trail of Tears?

● Forced relocation of Native Americans from

SE states

● Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee-Creek and

● To Indian Territory west of the Mississippi

The Journey

● Harsh conditions
● Hunger, disease, exposure
● At least 4,000 died

Aftermath

● Tens of thousands relocated
● 25-50% died along trails
● Opened land for white settlers

Impact on Native Americans

● Lost ancestral homeland
● Uprooted tribal communities
● Thousands died on the journey

Multiple Choice

What was the harsh journey of the Cherokee from their homeland to Indian Territory called?

• Trail of Tears

• Secession

• Doctrine of Nullification

Multiple Choice

How did the Indian Removal Act affect the Cherokees?

• A small group of Cherokees gave up their lands, but most were able to stay

• The Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokee nation had to submit to state laws

• Thousands died on the forced journey from their homeland to Indian Territory

Jacksonian Democracy

● Jackson expanded democracy
● But consolidated presidential power
● Damaged checks on executive branch

Impacts on Government

● Hurt rule of law
● Expanded executive power
● Rejected court/congressional limits

William Henry Harrison

● 9th President of the U.S.
● Served very short term (32 days) in 1841
● Leader of the Whig Party
● Died in office due to illness
● His short presidency did not have a significant impact

Multiple Choice

Who was William Henry Harrison?

• U.S. President who was a member of the Whig Party. He only served 32 days in office.

• U.S. President who passed the Indian Removal Act which led to the Trail of Tears.

• U.S. President who wrote a document warning European nations to stay out of the America's

Multiple Choice

Who was Andrew Jackson?

• U.S. President who was a member of the Whig Party. He only served 32 days in office.

• U.S. President who passed the Indian Removal Act which led to the Trail of Tears.

• U.S. President who was elected by the House of Representatives in 1824 when there was no clear winner.

Open Ended

What were some reasons Andrew Jackson vetoed the Bank Charter Bill?

Poll

Do you think Jackson was a Hero or Villain?

• Hero

• Villain